Kathleen Alice Berthiaume

Born in Victoria on March 6, 1947, to Alice Bell and John Mooney, Kathleen attended Victoria High School, where she distinguished herself academically. A naturally curious and highly intelligent woman, she pursued her love of learning throughout her life, earning a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Kathleen went on to build an academic career at the University of Victoria, where she served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology. Her research focused on Indigenous communities in British Columbia and contributed to a greater understanding of their social, cultural and economic lives.

Kathleen was a quiet, private and thoughtful person, known for her intelligence, kindness and dedication to learning. She shared more than 40 years of marriage with her husband, Germaine Berthiaume, and enjoyed their home overlooking the ocean along Dallas Road in Victoria.

Kathleen did not have children, and she is survived by her husband, Germaine, and her nieces Michelle, Michelle (Gary) and Leslie (Alistair).

The family extends heartfelt thanks to her caregivers, Myrna, Shannon and Andrea, for their kindness, compassion and devoted care during the final chapter of Kathleen's life, as well as the staff who attended to her at the Jubilee Hospital.